In early 2012 I fell head-over-crafty-heels for the lace crowns I had seen online (at Bitter Betty Blogs, Girl Inspired andJoyfolie to name a few). The crowns were sensational and the technique was simple. Yet the fabric stiffener used in the projects often needs 24 hours to completely dry. I'll admit it -- I'm an impatient crafter. So I immediately started experimenting to find a quicker way to make lace crowns. In February, I published my "Lace Crowns: Quick Microwave Method". Using the same materials as the other tutorials, I was able to shorten the time by using a microwave oven. The method is quicker, but has a few quirks, so I've been longing to come up with an even quicker and easier way to get the same beautiful results.

The solution came from a reader comment. The Brewster family asked, "I am curious why you did not use spray paint for the crown." The comment got me thinking that spray paint is not only a better way to add metallic color to the crown, but it would probably stiffen the lace at the same time, making the fabric stiffener unnecessary.

To celebrate my second year of turning 40 this past weekend, I decided it was high time to try out the spray paint crown method and make myself a birthday tiara. The experiment was an absolute success! I made two: One to keep and one to give away. You can enter to win the crown of your choice at the bottom of this post.

How to Make Lace CrownsApprox Cost: Less than $5 (when making multiple crowns*)Approx Time (active): 1/2 hourApprox Time (drying): 4 hoursYield: Makes ONE 18" crown

A piece of posterboard, 19" long and 4" high

Plastic wrap

Tape

1/2 yard crocheted lace (Also look for "Cluny Lace" or "Dyeable Cotton Lace". You can find a lace similar to the type I used for these crowns HERE)

A straight pin

Rubber gloves

Newspaper to cover your work area

Metallic Spray Paint (I recommend Premium Metals One Coat Metallic Finish from Design Master, sold at Michael's stores. For this project I used "Super Silver" and "24KT Pure Gold)

Step 1: Start by rolling the strip of poster board into a tube that is 17" in circumference. Use tape to hold in place. Wrap tube in plastic wrap. This will prevent the lace from sticking to the form. Wrap lace around the form and use straight pin to pin ends together where they overlap. Tip: If making multiple crowns, make a form for each crown so that you can spray paint all at once.

On my first attempt, I used this cute little can of gold paint. I wasn't happy with the tone of the gold, and there wasn't enough paint in the can to do an entire crown. Please see the materials list for a recommendation for a paint that will cover several crowns.

Step 2: Working in a warm, well-venthilated area and wearing rubber gloves, spray entire surface of crown with one layer of the clear glaze. Allow to dry, in a warm area, for 15-20 minutes (or until dry to the touch).

Step 3: Now spray entire surface of crown with one layer of the metallic paint. Allow to dry, in a warm area, for 20-30 minutes (or until dry to the touch).

Step 4: Remove pin, then gently peel lace off of the form. Now wrap the lace back around the form, but with the painted side facing in. Pin back into place.

Step 5: Spray with clear glaze, then allow to dry.

Step 6: Now spray entire surface of crown with a coat of metallic paint. Dry for 20-30 minutes. If you want the tips of the crown to flare out, now is the time to bend them outward with a gloved hand.

Step 7: Spray with a final coat of metallic paint. Allow to dry and harden in a warm place.

Step 8: Remove the pin and gently loosen the lace from the form. Allow crown to dry for an additional hour.

Step 9: Trim any frayed ends from the lace and decide which way you want to overlap the ends to make the cleanest seam. Use E6000 to glue in place.

Step 10: Now it's time to embellish the crown! Use E6000 to attach a decorative border and accents. I like to use a combination of old costume jewelry and new findings from the craft store.

Giveaway

(ends January 16, 2013, at midnight)

Just for fun, I'm giving away one of the two crowns that I made. Winner gets to choose which one. Good luck!

*The $5/crown price was calculated based on using a fraction of can of paint, glaze, and E6000, and making multiple crowns). The more supplies you already have on hand, the lower the cost. If purchasing all of the supplies for a single crown, the cost will be much higher, but you'll have everything you need on hand for the next time you need to whip up a sparkling diadem.

very cool. very, very cool. i believe that i love your crowns better than any i've seen anywhere. ever. i am excited to try this. the spray paint was genius, by the way. and since i have to choose between your two lovely crowns, i would choose the silver one because.....well, it just looks crownier to me. thanks for your inspiring blog. it's one of my favorites.jenni at angelheartcottage@comcast.net

OMG I love your blog ! Perfect to connect with my blog. Please come and visit when you get the chance, let me know you stopped by as well by leaving a comment. Would love to see you http://www.sealedwithmylove.blogspot.com

This is perfect for my first 30th bday (may not be my last...) I was going to try your microwave method but this looks soo much easier. Heck I might even test it out for a bachelorette party crown. This is going on my Project pin board.

I have to say, I just went out to buy everything and I had nothing previously. I spent almost $30, which is not what I was expecting considering it says the approximate cost was $5. I am still planning on making this with my niece tomorrow for her birthday, however I was very sad when the costs came up nowhere near the approximated amount.

On another note, I am hoping that this turns out looking very nice and that my niece loves her princess crown for her birthday.

Hi Veronica, thank you for letting me know! When calculating the $5/per, I was thinking about making multiple crowns at once, and therefore using only a fraction of the supplies per crown. But you're totally right, if you have to go out and buy every single supply (or even just a few) for a single crown, it can be cost prohibitive. Setting realistic expectations is important to me; I don't like the thought of disappointing readers. So, I'm going to amend my post. Thanks for helping me improve my tutorials! Jenn

These are some of my all time favorite DIY crowns. :-) I also wanted to let you know featured this post in a round up of DIY crowns for International Tiara Day coming up on Friday. http://www.creativegreenliving.com/2013/05/15-beautiful-diy-crowns-tiaras-to-make.html

Hi Rachel, yes E6000 is wonderful stuff! I always have a tube or two in my craft room at all times. You can find it at big stores like Target and Walmart in their hardware section where they have all of the adhesive products (like superglue). Also, you can find it with the adhesives at craft stores like JoAnn, Michael's, Beverly's and Hobby Lobby.

Which way ends up more durable and longer lasting? The fabric stiffener microwave directions or the spray paint method? I'd really like to try this but I want them to last, not just for photos. Thanks a lot. They are adorable

I am making about 14 of these crowns for my daughter's 3rd princess party. I followed all the instructions exactly however my crowns are not very stiff. I used exactly the same brands of everything as well. I put my embellishments on my daughter's crown (3 small rhinestone flowers about 1/2" in diameter) and it's leaning forwards. I don't think it will stay well on her head. Can you tell me how stiff it's supposed to be? Is it supposed to stay in a perfect circle like the mold? Is there anything I do after the fact? The other 12 crowns have the paint but no embellishments. Any help would be appreciated.

Please add "step 0: iron your lace"! I am following your instructions today and hoped that my wrinkled lace would flatten out as I went. Stupid, I know! Had to iron it AFTER I'd already sprayed it with clear glaze, which was not optimal D: However, I'm very excited to see how it turns out...!

Measure your daughters head where you want the crown to sit and add an inch for cross over area. Use this for the measurement for both the support and the lace. If you don't have a tape measure use a piece of string.

Measure your daughters head where you want the crown to sit and add an inch for the cross over in the back. Use this measurement for both the poster board form and the lace. If you don't have a tape measure just use a piece of string.